Okay, I didn't think it was really that intuitive and the manual wasn't that easy for me to understand, but I figured it out. I used some yarn so the points would be more visible (It didn't fit, but I hope you get the idea).

1. Bring the thread from the spool to the guide at the top. There were several types. The small disks may be flat or upright, or it may just be a guide without the disks.
2. Bring the thread down to the slot at the bottom of the tension mechanism. It may look solid, but there is a cut or slot to bring the thread up into. Pull this up.
3. It should now hook through the small hook end of the spring that is visible. It is like a small wire.
4. Now, pull the thread up to the arm. You don't "thread" it, you slide the thread into it through the slot.
5. Take your thread down to your needle. On one of my machines, it has a little dent at the bottom to help guide the thread. Another has nothing. From here, it's just like any other, pull thread through the guide on the needle. Needle threads left to right.

Haha....I sent them an e-mail Nancy. They're nuts if they think they can get that much for a machine that may need partial assembly and who knows if it works. They live in my town too...maybe I should get their address and go school them. :>

There are three bobbins, one is different from the other two. The extra belt is nice. The red box contains most of the 100 size 140 needles that came in it, the little pack has 4 100's in it. Since I sent my gson most of my really heavy leather, I doubt I will use them up, lol. I would be happy to share some of those 140s, if anyone needs some.

I will be sewing some denim and upholstery fabric, and this looks like it is going to be the perfect machine for it....not to mention it is just as cute as can be, lol.

There are three bobbins, one is different from the other two. The extra belt is nice. The red box contains most of the 100 size 140 needles that came in it, the little pack has 4 100's in it. Since I sent my gson most of my really heavy leather, I doubt I will use them up, lol. I would be happy to share some of those 140s, if anyone needs some.

I will be sewing some denim and upholstery fabric, and this looks like it is going to be the perfect machine for it....not to mention it is just as cute as can be, lol.

It looks like dried on oil rather than rust - I'd drop them in some denatured alcohol and then dry them with a paper towel if it's oil. If it's rust, I rub them with oil then rub off the rust with some aluminum foil. If it is smoke, use tooth paste but you want to get it all off and then you want them very dry so they don't rust. A drop of oil on the hinge won't hurt. Triflow will also cut through oil.

NEVER let a sewing machine know you are in a hurry.
good mothers let you lick the beaters - great mothers turn it off first